The brothers of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity will mark an end to another extremely successful year at Oklahoma State University with the conclusion of 2009. Over the past year our alumni have proven their dedication once again by working strenuously to increase the wellbeing of our chapter, while our active brothers have simultaneously shown their dedication by excelling in the classroom and positively impacting both the community and our campus.  This persistent approach has given Sigma Nu a competitive edge and we are confident that we can build on the positive momentum laid before us and reach new heights in 2010.

                During 2009, the alumni of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter built on their reliable reputation of involvement and generosity within Sigma Nu Fraternity, at Oklahoma State University and throughout the United States. Over the last year, Epsilon Epsilon brothers Joe Francis and Charlie Eitel continued to serve as two of the four Vice Regents of Sigma Nu. This office is the second highest rank within the international fraternity. Our Chapter Advisor Neil Gilpin, who has already been awarded Chapter Advisor of the Year, is currently serving as a Division Commander in Sigma Nu and oversees 7 of the Sigma Nu chapters located in the states of Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Brothers Ike Glass and Burns Hargis were 2009 inductees of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and U.S. Senator and Epsilon Epsilon alumnus Tom Coburn returned to his collegiate home at Sigma Nu where he spoke as a facilitator for our 2009 LEAD Program. Brandon Boyd acted as another alumnus who frequented the Sigma Nu house and met with active brothers during 2009. Boyd currently works as the director of Oklahoma State University’s Campus Crusade for Christ. Also, the advisory board, which is composed of a diverse group of alumni and oversees the actions of the active brotherhood, met almost monthly to provide directional support and served as a solid foundation to the accomplishments of the active brotherhood. These are just a few examples of our alumni that have provided good influences on our chapter and we are extremely thankful to call them brothers.

                The Epsilon Epsilon chapter is also thankful and proud of the recent renovation of the trophy room that was completed this fall, which now holds the title of the J. Thomas Mason Hall of Honor. The Hall of Honor, which was made possible by our alumni, not only displays the recent achievements of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter but focuses more on its’ rich national success that includes over 35 national award winners and 5 Rock Chapters. However, the most exciting news of 2009 was the unveiling of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter of Sigma Nu Education Foundation. Through 2009, our generous alumni have already pledged over $100,000 for this unique foundation with other alumni already committing to double the amount raised up to $500,000. With the help of our alumni it is possible in the near future to award $10,000 a year in scholarships to our active brotherhood here at Oklahoma State. Our alumni have surprised us once again leaving us enthusiastic for what the future has in store.

                On behalf of the active brotherhood, we have been working diligently on some surprises of our own. At the beginning of the spring semester we teamed up with the women of Kappa Alpha Theta for the annual Varsity Revue competition. Our production was based on the theme “TV Land” and it swept the competition landing us a 1st place finish, as well as other awards including Best Vocals and Best Choreography. Following Varsity Revue, the brotherhood teamed up with Beta Theta Pi Fraternity for Spring Sing. Together, the men pioneered the first “all-men” Greek show in many years and conveniently picked the theme “The Most Manly Men.” The pairing and the theme both proved to be good choices as we brought home another 1^st place trophy and 6 other awards from the show. The freshmen pledge class also put together a great show in Freshmen Follies with the women of Pi Beta Phi and we look forward to using their talent when we pair up with Pi Beta Phi for Varsity Revue this upcoming spring.

                The brotherhood experienced a lot of success off the stage as well. Out of the 12 finalists for the Outstanding Greek Member awards Sigma Nu boasted 7. Ryan Ramseyer ended up becoming the 3^rd Sigma Nu out of the last 4 years to win Outstanding New Member and David McKellips and Robert O’Neal took home the honors of Outstanding Sophomore and Outstanding Junior. Sigma Nu had 2 of the 3 finalists for Greek Man of the Year in Trey Allen and Robert Benson but unfortunately the results did not fall in their favor.  Our success did not end there however, as Robert Benson and Sean Wyatt were both recognized as 2009 Top 10 Business Seniors. In the fall, we heard more good news when we found out that 4 of our brothers were recognized as Top 20 Freshmen by the Mortar Board Honor Society. Brothers Ryan Ramseyer and Brent Harkrider ended up gaining further honors when they were awarded the title of Top 10 Freshmen during the halftime ceremony at one of the home football games.

                On top of the individual success of our brother’s, the Epsilon Epsilon chapter also gained recognition as a whole. The Interfraternity Council at Oklahoma State University recognized us as an “Exemplary Chapter” in 2009 and we are in a good position to earn the honor again in 2010. We earned multiple honors at College of Chapters in Lexington, Virginia that included Excellence in Pursuit of Excellence in addition to the Manpower Award and the Regent’s Award for Academic Excellence. Furthermore during the fall, Sigma Nu paired up with the women of Gamma Phi Beta to compete and participate in “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.” Homecoming was quite a success with a 1^st place finish in Football Frenzies played in Boone Pickens Stadium, a 4^th place finish in the House Deck competition which attracts around 70,000 people every year , and a 3^rd place finish in “Sweepstakes” which is a measure of the overall point totals. We are extremely proud and honored to have received these awards and are preparing to continue this positive momentum into 2010.

                Epsilon Epsilon also looks forward to continuing our leadership on campus and within the community. This involvement on campus and in the community is a critical part of our chapter and the constant facilitation of the Leadership, Ethics, Achievement, Development program that the national fraternity has prepared for us is equipping our members with the necessary skills to make the biggest impact possible. Over the past year, the brothers of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter were blessed to have reputable speakers such as long-time professor and engineer Dr. Lee Manzer, U.S. Senator Tom Coburn and the Director of Campus Life Kent Sampson work with the brotherhood on the implementation of our LEAD program. Although we have had recent success with the LEAD program, there is still room for improvement and we are confident that our new Marshal, Michael Sloan, will be able to take it to the next level.

                The brotherhood worked together in many philanthropic events during 2009. We accomplished an estimated 10 projects through the Big Event and Into the Streets, which involves our brothers helping the handicapped, the elderly and other individuals in the Stillwater community, while also sponsoring and carrying out a blood drive during January. Up ‘Til Dawn which benefits St. Jude Children’s  Hospital was an additional opportunity to help the community that Sigma Nu took advantage of by sending many brothers to help raise money in support of children’s cancer research. Relay for Life, another philanthropy geared towards cancer research for the American Cancer Society, received a lot of help from our brotherhood who participated with the women of Kappa Alpha Theta. Individually, Brother Bob O’Neal volunteered as the Corporate Sponsorship Chairman and worked on getting businesses to sponsor the event, while Brother Ryan Ramseyer served as the Accounting Chairman and processed over $80,000 in donations.

                Jeffrey Hendrickson, our Philanthropy Chairman in 2009, was very busy making sure the men of Sigma Nu were benefiting the community. In fact, he also helped Sigma Nu get involved in a new event, the Greek Madness basketball Tournament which benefited the Mya Gonzalez Foundation. The Mya Gonzalez Foundation benefits children with Down syndrome and other special needs and also helps fund the Rise School of Stillwater. The men of Sigma Nu and the women of Gamma Phi Beta also teamed up with Texas Roadhouse during Homecoming’s “Walk-around” and raised an estimated $2000. This money was then donated to Payne County Youth Services. In 2009, the chapter voted to require 10 community service hours per member and as a result accumulated 1305 community service hours over the last spring and fall semesters. Our biggest impact however, has come from our annual philanthropy, the Temple Classic. The Temple Classic is a 3 day volleyball tournament held every spring on the Greek Discovery Day weekend. The event has consistently become a bigger project within Sigma Nu and over the past two years the Epsilon Epsilon chapter has raised an estimated $26,000 to benefit the Christopher Reeve Foundation. The Christopher Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people with paralysis. Brothers Andy Pickle, Blair Kirkpatrick and Robert O’Neal are taking on the challenge of planning the tournament this year and we are expecting the best results yet.

                With the recent development of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter of Sigma Nu Education Foundation as solid evidence, it is safe to say that the alumni and active brothers at Oklahoma State hold scholarship in the highest regard. In the fall of 2009 our freshmen pledge class ranked 3^rd among all 21 fraternities at OSU with a 3.21 average. Our brotherhood average fell a couple spots from last fall as we placed 5^th among the 21 fraternities on campus with a 3.14 average, but we still managed to exceed the Interfraternity Council, All-Greek, and Non-Greek averages. We will continue to work towards a 1^st place finish in the upcoming year and with more money provided by our alumni than ever before, we are certain of an increase in motivation. We are very proud of the hard work put in by Zach Pool who served as the Scholarship Chairman in 2009 and look forward to the impact that our new Scholarship Chair, Thomas Briggs will make in the upcoming year.

                 The expectations set forth by our active brotherhood and alumni help us every day to become better brothers, students and citizens. With Sigma Nu Fraternity’s support and direction we can make better decisions today providing an even brighter future for the next generation of our brotherhood, the institution we attend and the communities in which we live. Our brotherhood that has thrived locally for over 90 years and nationally for over 140 years has proven that good things can come from fraternal devotion and we are convinced that every member of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter would express gratitude for the impact Sigma Nu has made on our personal lives.  However, it is not the awards we receive today that changes us for the better, because the honors we have won and the helping hand we have extended will soon leave our memory. Only when the material proof of our success losses its importance will our biggest strength finally prevail and come to light; the strength of an impenetrable bond of brotherhood that extends beyond time and place. Then, it will be known that we excelled not for recognition or praise, but for a more healthy and productive brotherhood and most importantly, in the name of honor.